Today we are launching our first Google.org Impact Challenge in Canada - a nationwide competition to find and fund the the most innovative nonprofits that are using technology to make Canada and the world a better place.

We created the Google.org Impact Challenge because we truly believe that technology has the power to transform lives. The Challenge travels to different regions around the world to support nonprofit innovators using technology to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.

We want to make a better world, faster. And now it’s Canada’s turn.

Innovative thinking and commitment to humanitarian causes are baked into the DNA of this country. As we look ahead to the next 150 years in Canada, we believe that resourceful Canadians will be on the front lines of changing the world through technology.

Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, will award $5 million across 10 organizations to help bring their ideas to life. Five winning organizations will receive $750,000 grants, and five additional finalists will receive $250,000.

If you head to Street View in Google Maps, you will find these small white cabins with red roofs sprinkled across some of Canada’s most remote communities. Here’s one from Cambridge Bay. Here’s another from Iqaluit.

Back in 1670 - the Hudson’s Bay Company was a startup in the fur trade business. ‘Go West’ was the rallying cry of entrepreneurial pioneers striking out for the riches of an unmapped Canada’s wilderness. These Hudson’s Bay Company trading posts are legacies of that ambition.

The history of Canada’s economy has long been tied to our geography. We live in a country with the landmass nearly the size of Russia - and a population the size of California. The largest exporter of oil to the US? That’s us. These are facts that might shape a nation’s identity, if not its destiny.

But not Canada, not now.

Watch Go North live on YouTube via our partner Bloomberg

Canada is no longer a place defined by the limits of our physical geography. Canada’s future potential does not lie beneath Canadian bedrock - it is within our universities, incubators and startups.

Today, over 500 members of Canada’s startup community are in Toronto at an event Google Canada is hosting called Go North. Our aim in hosting this event is to amplify the community’s concerns, while also taking stock and celebrating our successes.

Of course there are challenges: attracting and retaining top-flight talent, competition, harnessing new technologies and engaging corporate Canada. If you watch on the Bloomberg livestream, you’ll see we’re tackling these issues head-on with the best minds in Canada’s startup ecosystem. We’re also joined by Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains who will discuss the government’s role in helping Canadian companies and ideas succeed.

What makes every startup attending Go North different from startups in Tel Aviv, London, Berlin or Silicon Valley is where they’ve decided to build their company: the place we call home. Now, being Canadian means different things to different people. Maybe for some it means another hurdle for financing, or a pain in securing talent.

But, from the perspective of someone like myself who calls himself a new Canadian, what we have here is exceptional.

Outside Silicon Valley, the Toronto-Waterloo corridor represents the highest concentration of startups on the planet. But it’s the sense of community and shared ambition that truly sets us apart.

With all the talk of building walls and Brexits over the past 12 months, Canada was making headlines for welcoming refugees with open arms. This spirit of openness and inclusion shapes not only our national identity, but also how we do business. Since I moved up here 2 years ago, I’ve seen it first hand.

And Communitech, MaRS, TechToronto, Quantum Valley Investments and RBC - our partners in today’s event - they are the embodiment of this spirit. Finding a home for big ideas, hosting top-flight talent but - most importantly - nurturing and unifying this community.

Steven Woods, who returned more than 8 years ago from founding several successful startups in the Valley to oversee Google Canada’s engineering operations and growth in Waterloo describes what we have in this community - what we have in this room today - as the equivalent of capturing lightning in a bottle.

That is what the entrepreneurial pioneers of today are striking out in search of. Lightning in a bottle. And we have it right here. In the north.

Posted by Sam Sebastian, Vice President and Country Director for Google Canada

When Google was founded, there were about 300 million people using the Internet. The vast majority of them were sitting at desktop computers and looking for answers that came in the form of blue links. Today, the Internet community is closer to 3 billion people, and you’re searching for all kinds of help everywhere — from your cars and your classrooms, to your homes, to the phones in your pockets. Across all these contexts and devices, there are even more questions to be asked, and more that we can do to help you get the answers you need.

From mobile first to AI-first

When I look at where computing is heading, I see how machine learning and artificial intelligence are unlocking capabilities that were unthinkable only a few years ago. This means that the power of the software — the “smarts” — really matter for hardware more than ever before. The last 10 years have been about building a world that is mobile-first, turning our phones into remote controls for our lives. But in the next 10 years, we will shift to a world that is AI-first, a world where computing becomes universally available — be it at home, at work, in the car, or on the go — and interacting with all of these surfaces becomes much more natural and intuitive, and above all, more intelligent.

This is why we built the Google Assistant, which allows you to have a natural conversation between you and Google. It’s one Assistant that’s ready to help you throughout your day. The first instance appeared in our new smart messaging app Google Allo to help you in group conversations. But that’s just the beginning. We want to help you get things done in your world, across different places, contexts and situations. And that means building the Google Assistant and other amazing software into the hardware that you depend on every day.

The best of Google

Today we announced a new family of hardware that’s a step toward making sure that no matter where you are, or what you’re doing, you can have the best of Google by your side. The Pixel is the first phone with the Google Assistant built in. With Chromecast Ultra, your home becomes even more connected. And our new Daydream View headset and controller lets you explore new worlds in virtual reality with just your phone. These all do different things, serve different purposes — but they all deliver Google, the way we intended it.

Great hardware is powered by great software. And a beautiful, intuitive device allows the underlying technology to shine. As the range of devices in our lives expands, we’re seeing unprecedented advances in software as a result of investing in technologies like search, machine learning and AI, which benefits things like translation, voice recognition, image recognition and natural language processing. It’s still early days, but when all of that works together, the Google Assistant allows you to get things done, bringing you the information you need, when you need it, wherever you are.

Of course, we know we can’t do it alone. We’re building with partners in mind, so when you talk to your Assistant, you’re able to better connect with developers, publishers, and businesses.

While we are at the beginning of this journey, I can already see the tremendous strides we’re making with machine learning and AI, which gives me confidence that we’re going to do some amazing things for users over the next 10 years.

What do The Upside Down, Jason Bourne and cliff jumping videos have in common? They all come in stunning 4K picture (which basically means the picture is suuuuuper crisp). And with the newly introduced Chromecast Ultra, now you can stream all of these 4K titles and more to your 4K TV.

Chromecast Ultra includes everything you love about Chromecast. Plus, it comes with advanced features like 4K and High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, faster speed and Wi-Fi improvements.

Stunning picture, deeper colors

Chromecast Ultra supports 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision, so you’ll get a crisper picture with higher resolution and more vibrant colors. At first, you'll be able to stream 4K content from Netflix and YouTube, and we’re working to bring more 4K and HDR content on board. Later this year, Google Play Movies & TV will be rolling out 4K content. Even if your TV isn’t 4K-ready, Chromecast Ultra automatically optimizes your TV’s picture.

Faster than ever, with optional Ethernet port

Chromecast Ultra loads videos 1.8 times faster than other Chromecast devices and includes major Wi-Fi improvements to support streams from full HD to Ultra HD without a hitch. For those tricky Wi-Fi environments, we’re also adding Ethernet support for a wired connection.

Everything you love about Chromecast

Just like the original Chromecast, you can cast all of your favorite content from thousands of apps using your phone, tablet or laptop. Mirror any content from your Android device or from a browser tab on your laptop (using Chrome) to the TV. And it comes in a small size that hides nicely behind your TV, without adding clutter to your living room.

Chromecast Ultra will be available later this year for $90 (CAD) from the Google Store and Best Buy Canada.

Join the waitlist on the Google Store and we’ll let you know when you can get your hands on one, so you can start enjoying some seriously crisp entertainment.

At I/O this May, we announced Daydream, our platform for high-quality mobile VR. Our goal for Daydream is to simplify the complexity behind virtual reality. It should be mobile so you can easily carry it with you, and it should be friendly and accessible so everyone can enjoy using it.

We’ve been working with developers, smartphone companies and content creators to make the dream a reality — and now, we’re excited to share updates across the three key elements of Daydream: smartphones, headsets and VR experiences.

Pixel, the first Daydream-ready phones

With Daydream, you simply pop a Daydream-ready phone in the headset to start exploring. Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, Daydream-ready phones are built with high-resolution displays, powerful mobile processors and high-fidelity sensors—all tuned to support great VR experiences. Google’s newest Pixel and Pixel XL are the first Daydream-ready phones, and there are a lot more on the way from leading Android smartphone makers.

Daydream View, the first Daydream-ready headset and controller

Today, we’re announcing DayDream View. Designed and developed by Google, it’s the first Daydream-ready headset and controller.

Daydream View is:

Comfortable. Inspired by the clothes we enjoy wearing, the headset is made with soft, breathable fabric. It is 30% lighter than similar devices and is designed to fit over eyeglasses.

Easy to use. Just drop in your Daydream-ready phone and you’ll be ready to go. The phone and headset have an auto-alignment system so you don’t have to worry about cables or connectors.A big part of what makes Daydream View special is the Daydream controller. This small yet powerful controller lets you interact with the virtual world the same way you do in the real world. It points where you point, and is packed with sensors to understand your movements and gestures. You can swing it like a bat or wave it like a wand. And it’s so precise that you can draw with it. The controller slides right inside the headset when not in use, so you don’t have to worry about losing it in your bag or between couch cushions.

Yours. Daydream View is designed with choice in mind. The headset fits phones big or small, so it’ll work with any Daydream-ready phone you choose.

Incredible experiences

From the universe of YouTube videos to a magical world where you can cast spells and levitate objects, there is a wide range of experiences coming to Daydream:

Enjoy the best of Google. We’ve brought some of the most popular Google apps into VR. With YouTube, you can watch the entire library of videos on a virtual big screen and experience immersive videos from creators like Buzzfeed, PrankvsPrank, Meredith Foster, CollegeHumor, Tastemade, UnboxTherapy and VSauce2. Use Google Street View to see curated tours of more than 150 of the world’s most amazing places like the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal, or just search to explore everywhere else. Google Play Movies makes tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes available in your own virtual theatre. And Google Photos displays your 360° captures in a whole new way.

Explore new worlds. Teleport fromanywhere to pretty much everywhere with immersive stories and content from our partners, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” as brought to life by Warner Bros.

Kick back in your own personal cinema. Experience sports, live events and more with MLB and NBA. Plus, you can watch top shows and movies on your own virtual big screen with Netflix.

Get in the game. Go from the sidelines to the center of action with dozens of titles, including Wonderglade, Gunjack 2, LEGO® BrickHeadz, Mekorama, Need for Speed, EarthShape, Danger Goat, Home Run Derby and Hungry Shark World.

Daydream View arrives this November at the Google Store and Bell, Rogers, Telus and Best Buy Canada for $99.

All of this is just the beginning of our work with Daydream. In the coming months, we’ll be launching with more apps and partners, and over the coming years, we’ll continue our goal of bringing high-quality, mobile VR to everyone.

Today, we announced for the first time a family of products that brings people the best of Google through hardware and software made by Google. We're excited that the lineup features the first phone made by Google inside and out — Pixel.

For those of you who have followed Google closely, that name may sound familiar to you because we've used the Pixel name in the past for consumer hardware products that represented an overall premium Google experience. Many of you may also be familiar with the Nexus program. Since 2010, we’ve partnered closely with mobile handset partners around the world to bring you the best of Android. Through Nexus, the goal was to work with these various partners to push the boundaries of what’s possible with a smartphone. We’ve now decided to take the next step and provide our take on the best Google experience, by bringing hardware and software design together under one roof.

Pixel, Phone by Google

With Pixel, we obsessed over every detail, from the industrial design to the user experience. We carefully sculpted the surfaces of the phone, and rounded the edges to make it easy to grip. We used 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 on the front display and back glass to accent the aerospace grade aluminum body. The glass on the back also features Pixel Imprint, our fingerprint sensor, which is placed on the back of the phone where your finger expects it. You can even swipe it to access your notifications. And no matter what you’re using your phone for, you’ll need a battery that lasts all day and charges fast — up to seven hours in 15 minutes.

Meet your Google AssistantPixel is the first phone with the Google Assistant built in. With your Assistant, you can have a natural conversation with Google to find answers or get things done on the go. Say "Ok Google" or touch and hold the Home button and your Assistant is ready to help. Ask it for a brief update on your day or to play a video on YouTube. Look up traffic on the way home from work or when the nearest pharmacy closes. You can even say “show me my camping photos with Andrew” and it'll instantly display the photos you're looking for. Your Assistant can also offer help with what’s on-screen in any app. So if your friend texts you to meet up at a new restaurant, you can just say “navigate there”.

The best smartphone camera. Ever.

The Pixel camera is not only the best smartphone camera we’ve ever made, it’s the highest rated smartphone camera anyone has ever made. Our DxOMark Mobile score of 89 is a great example of what’s possible when great hardware meets great software. Pixel puts cutting-edge computational photography in an ultra-fast and easy-to-use camera.

Pixel has a 12.3MP camera, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and big 1.55 micron pixels to capture lots and lots of light. Our team of photography gurus and image processing experts have spent the last year designing and tirelessly optimizing our entire camera stack.

Pixel’s camera lets you take stunning photos in low light, bright light or any light. Catch action shots as they happen with Smartburst, which takes a rapid-fire sequence of shots and automatically selects the best one. Use Lens Blur to achieve shallow depth of field and bokeh effects, making your subject pop. You can capture dramatic landscapes or make faces glow with new exposure controls.

And as a special bonus for Pixel owners, we’re including free unlimited storage for original quality photos and videos at full resolution in Google Photos.

More to love

Pixel ships with the newest Android operating system, Android 7.1 Nougat. Phones will get software and security updates as soon as they’re available, directly from Google. We’ve also made the update process easier. When a new update is available, it can download and install in the background — no more waiting around for your phone to update.

The Pixel also comes with Google Duo and Allo pre-installed so you can video call and text with all your friends, whether they’re on Android or iOS.

Make it yours

Pixel comes in two sizes, 5” or 5.5”, and two colours in Canada: Very Silver and Quite Black. And whatever you choose, we’ve got cases to match. In addition to customizing Live Cases with your favourite photos and places, we’re introducing a new Artworks collection that features exclusive designs from artists like Justin Maller, and photographers like Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. We’re also excited to offer a new collection of silicone and clear cases.

Pixel is available for pre-order today starting at $849 in Canada at the Google Store, and through Bell, Rogers, Telus, Fido, Koodo Mobile, Best Buy Canada, Tbooth wireless and WIRELESSWAVE channels.